iPhones Keep Their Value Longer Than Android Phones

Posted on Friday, February 10th, 2012 at 6:48 pm.

Although there has always been debate between iOS and Android users about which operating system works better for smartphones, people have mostly been able to validate their choices based on personal preferences.

Although people are certainly free to have their opinions, a recent study from Priceonomics indicates that whereas an iPhone 3G or 3GS has continued to retain much of its value, Android phones that were released around the same time period – such as the original Motorola Droid – have about as much value as a can of pork and beans.

OK, maybe these phones are slightly more valuable than pork and beans, but not by a lot. According to the Priceonomics study, after 18 months, an iOS smartphone retains approximately 53 percent of its original value. This means that an 18-month-old iPhone would sell for around $310.

On the other hand, an Android phone loses a significant amount more of its original value. According to the study, Android phone owners should expect their devices to retain about 42 percent of their original worth. Likewise, BlackBerry phones retain approximately the same amount at 41 percent.

So what does this mean for you if you are planning to buy a mobile device in the near future? If you weren’t planning on purchasing an iOS phone, you may want to consider it. Seeing that Apple tends to release a new iPhone every year, by the time your two-year contract is over, you could sell your current iPhone for enough money to buy a new iPhone with a two-year contract.

It seems as if we should expect the release of the iPhone 5 later this year. If you still own an iPhone 4, it might be a good idea to hold on to it. You may be able to sell it and pay for your iPhone 5 and still come out with a little cash left over.